Inspection of 21 May 2025 — Inspection Report
Immediate action notice. An Immediate Action Notice (IAN) was issued to the person in charge on 21 May 2025, in relation to the absence of Garda Vetting, for one adult. A response to the IAN was subsequently received on the same date.
Immediate action notice. Following review of the CAPA and CAPA 2 responses that were submitted, it was determined that some of the non-compliances had not been adequately addressed. The registered provider was therefore invited to attend a regulatory compliance meeting, which took place on 2 July 2025. Subsequent to this meeting, additional supporting evidence was forwarded to the inspectorate.
Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment
- (a)(b) Two written and validated references were unavailable in respect of one adult. Records of validation were not provided for the references held in respect of a second adult. (c) A Garda vetting disclosure was not available for one of the adults. An Immediate Action Notice was issued on 21 May 2025, in response to the breach of Regulation 9
Provider's corrective action:
- The written reply stated that two written and validated references have been provided for the adult and that references for the second adult have been validated. All references will be validated and maintained on file. (c) Previous attempts to obtain Garda vetting had been refused, however the vetting application in respect of the adult has been submitted. Going forward, Garda vetting will be in place for all personnel before their employment commences
Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service
- (a) A curriculum vitae was unavailable for one of the adults. (i) There were no current or previous staff rosters available, as confirmed during conversation with the person in charge
Provider's corrective action:
- (a) The curriculum vitae is now in place. (j) Staff rosters are now in place. Staff rosters will be completed within the roll book
Regulation 19 — Health, welfare and development of child
- Basic needs: 1. Drinking water was not freely available to the children in the Corbally room, outside of the allocated snack time. The inspector was advised that the children’s water bottles were stored in the fridge, which was located in the kitchen. 2. While it was acknowledged that the East Ferry room had a clearly identifiable cosy area, furnished with a soft mat, cushions and a bookshelf, the rest area in the Corbally room required development, in order to adequately meet the children’s need for rest and relaxation. The inspector was advised that children in this room could use a large teddy bear as a seat, if they wished to rest. However, no additional furnishings or books were available, to create an inviting rest area for the children
Provider's corrective action:
- 1. Drinking water is readily available. 2. Books are always available to the children and suitable seating is now also provided
Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child
- General safety: 1. The Garda vetting disclosures available for two of the adults were not dated within the previous three years, in adherence to the Early Years Inspectorate Regulatory Notice, ‘EYI-RN12.3 Renewal of Garda Vetting’. 2. While it was acknowledged that good supervision practices were ensured during outdoor play, the risk of a child exiting the premises was increased through unsecured gates, in the outdoor play area. During outdoor play time, a child was observed to run towards one of these gates, which led to a road. A staff member immediately followed the child and intervened before the child had an opportunity to reach the gate, however, the unsecured gate increased the risk of a child exiting the service. The issue of the unsecured gates was also found at the previous inspection on 24 May 2023. The CAPA response at the time outlined that all three gates, which formed part of the enclosure surrounding the outdoor play space, had been fitted and secured with locks. However, this was not found in practice. Infection control: 3. During an observed nappy changing procedure, the following practices increased the risk of cross infection: • the adult undertaking the nappy changing procedure did not wear a disposable apron • the child’s hands were not washed after having their nappy changed • the adult did not dry their own hands after washing them. When the inspector queried this, the adult stated that children did not like the sound of the electric hand dryer. It was also noted that no paper towels were available in this sanitary facility. The inspector subsequently requested to see the service’s nappy changing procedure and the person in charge advised that this was not available. 4. A lidded, lined, foot pedal operated bin was unavailable for the hygienic disposal of nappies. It was noted that several nappies had been disposed of into a loose plastic bin bag, which was on the floor, untied and accessible to any child who entered the area, to have their nappy changed. This posed a risk of cross infection. 5. The shower tray in the staff sanitary facility was not maintained in a clean condition. Dirt was visible in the corners and a bag of sweets had been left on the shower tray. Non-compliances in relation to the dirty shower tray were also found at the previous two inspections, on 24 May 2023 and 23 April 2021. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
- General safety: 1. Updated Garda vetting has been sought through the official channels. Records will be monitored and maintained up to date. 2. Locks have been installed on the gates until a new secure, playground is installed. The new playground has been ordered and is due to be installed within a month. The new playground will include secure fencing and was specifically ordered to alleviate the observed issue. Infection control: 3. Disposable aprons are now in place. Instructions regarding handwashing after nappy changing have been provided to all staff. A nappy changing policy has been developed. New paper towels are available for use. 4. A pedal bin is now available for nappies. 5. The shower tray has been cleaned
Regulation 29 — Premises
- (e) There was an insufficient number of wash hand basins available for the 29 children in attendance, at the time of the inspection. It was acknowledged that two toilets and two wash hand basins were accessible adjoining the care rooms and that a nappy changing facility was provided within the staff toilet facility, which had three toilets in total. However, only 1 wash hand basin was available in this staff toilet facility, which was allocated to the staff members and to the 10 children who required nappy changing. One wash hand basin is required for every 11 children and one wash hand basin is required for every 8 adults
Provider's corrective action:
- The accessible toilet has been designated for use by staff members and staff have been informed of same. The toilet facility formerly referred to as the staff toilet is now solely for the children’s use
Found compliant: Regulation 11, 25, 26.